AFC Elite Referees Seminar 2026 sets tone for new season

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

AFC Elite Referees Seminar 2026 sets tone for new season

Tashkent, Tokyo: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s commitment to elevating the capabilities of its match officials took centrestage once again at the AFC Elite Referees Seminar 2026.

Taking place from August 3 to 7, the programme was conducted simultaneously in the West (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) and East (Tokyo, Japan) regions, bringing together 176 match officials to assess and enhance their skills ahead of the 2026/27 season.

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AFC Beach Soccer Referees Seminar 2026 concludes successfully

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

AFC Beach Soccer Referees Seminar 2026 concludes successfully

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Beach Soccer Referees Seminar 2026 concluded on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Taking place for the first time since 2019, the five-day programme brought together 22 referees from across the Continent, providing them with a valuable platform to further develop their knowledge and technical expertise as they continue their pursuit of the highest officiating standards in Asian beach soccer.

AFC elite women’s match officials gear up for 2026/27 season

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026

AFC elite women’s match officials gear up for 2026/27 season

Kuala Lumpur: Asia’s top women referees and assistant referees ramped up preparations for the upcoming season with a five-day seminar that concluded on July 24 (Friday), 2026.

A total of 84 elite match officials participated in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Elite Women Referees & Assistant Referees Seminar 2026, which was overseen by nine AFC Instructors—six technical and three fitness—ahead of the 2026/27 season.

AFC-UEFA partnership marks new era in referee development

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

AFC-UEFA partnership marks new era in referee development

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s pursuit of nurturing elite refereeing talent has reached a significant milestone with the appointment of Asian officials to the upcoming UEFA Women’s U17 Championship and UEFA U17 Championship.

These appointments follow the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two confederations, aimed at strengthening the global refereeing landscape through technical cooperation, exchange programmes, and long-term development initiatives.

AFC Referee Academy advances development with latest on-site modules

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

AFC Referee Academy advances development with latest on-site modules

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s concerted efforts to nurture elite refereeing talent were once again underlined as the acclaimed AFC Referee Academy conducted onsite modules for Batches 6 and 7, while the AFC Futsal Referee Academy held its fourth introductory module.

The activities, which spanned three weeks, began with Intermediate Module 3 for Batch 6, held from April 6 to 10, during which 42 participants underwent intensive physical training and a maximum strength assessment using the 1 Repetition Maximum Barbell Back Squat and Deadlift, Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull, along with a range of theoretical sessions.

Match officials confirmed for #ACLElite Final 2025/26

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Match officials confirmed for #ACLElite Final 2025/26

Jeddah: Ilgiz Tantashev will be the man in the middle on Saturday evening when Al Ahli Saudi FC and FC Machida Zelvia meet in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) 2025/26™ Final at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

This will be the second time that the Uzbek referee has been tasked to oversee the finale of the Continent’s elite men’s club tournament, having taken charge of the second leg between Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos in the 2023/24 edition. It will be his eighth match assignment of this edition, having refereed one Quarter-final, one Round of 16 and five League Stage fixtures.